Cheryl Tien with villagers from her ancestral home in Guangdong during a trip with Friends of Roots three years ago. “My last name means so much to me,” she said after the visit. Photo: courtesy of Cheryl Tien

Chinese Americans on tours to Guangdong to seek out their roots, and their emotional journeys

For nearly 30 years a non-profit has been helping Chinese Americans discover their family history in southern China – visits that can stir up strong emotions, reinforce participants’ Chinese identity and lift a veil on forebears’ sacrifices

Cheryl Tien with villagers from her ancestral home in Guangdong during a trip with Friends of Roots three years ago. “My last name means so much to me,” she said after the visit. Photo: courtesy of Cheryl Tien